New Zealand 40-7 South Africa
New Zealand put a second string Springbok side to the sword scoring six tries extremely one sided encounter in Wellington.
Dan Carter set another milestone inside the first two minutes when his successful penalty took him past Jonny Wilkinson as the top point's scorer in test matches. South Africa had a chance to get themselves level a minute later but Morne Steyn was off target with his penalty attempt, his first miss in the Tri-Nations since Perth 2009.
New Zealand scored their first try of the game after 12 minutes, scrum-half Jimmy Cowan broke the defensive line and flicked a pass to Ma'a Nonu, the ball was recycled several times, the ball was moved down the blindside and prop Wyatt Crockett went over in the corner for a well worked score. Carter couldn't add the extras so the score remained 8-0.
A minute later the All Blacks were in again, this time it was all down to the genius of Dan Carter. From the kick-off the world's best stand-off put a well weighted grubber kick behind the defence which Ma'a Nonu collected, from the next phase of play Carter sliced through the disorganised Springbok defence and passed to Zac Guildford and the Crusaders winger had too much pace and he touched down in the corner. Carter was again off target with his conversion and the home side led 13-0.
South Africa were losing the physical battle and the pace of the ball they were producing was far too slow, whereas New Zealand were producing quality front foot ball and were breaking the gain line with ease. South Africa registered their only points of the game after 30 minutes, after a couple of phases close to the line captain John Smit picked a good line and crashed over for the try. Steyn added the simple conversion and the gap was closed to 13-7.
But within a few minutes the All Blacks had restored their 13 point advantage, winger Cory Jane picked the ball up in midfield ad showed great footwork to beat a couple of defenders, he was too quick for Steyn and the Hurricanes winger scored a superb individual try in the corner. Again Carter wasn't able to add the conversion, but New Zealand led 18-7 at the break.
It took the World Cup favourites just five minutes to score their fourth try of the game and claim the bonus point, after a five metre scrum Nonu crashed the ball up the middle and supplied quick ball to Cowan who threw a looping pass to Jane who crossed in the corner for his second try of the match. This time Carter was able to add the conversion to extend the lead to 25-7.
Three minutes later Carter added his second penalty of the game to make the scores 28-7, South Africa continued to fall off tackles and lose the battle up front. But the performance of young Patrick Lambie will give Springbok fans heart, he tackled his heart out and always looked to attack with pace, and he is one for the future.
Guildford scored his second try of the game on the 65 minute mark, after some brilliant handling from forwards and backs, the flying winger picked a great line of Ben Franks and scored a simple try. Carter hit the post with his conversion and the score remained 33-7.
New Zealand saved their best for last, with a brilliantly planned set play from the backs. From the scrum the half backs interlinked behind the dummy runners, the ball was then moved out to full-back Mils Muliaina who flicked a brilliant pass to Guildford, he broke down the line and threw the ball inside to replacement Colin Slade who finished off a great score. Carter added the conversion and the final score was 40-7.
The All Blacks were very clinical in attack and physical in defence and just had too much for the weak Boks, but they have things to work on ahead of their mouth watering clash with Australia next week. The Boks were once again way below standard, but they will have all their big guns back for the home games in a couple of weeks and they will be much improved.
Man of the Match
Cory Jane
